102-year-old Wicklow woman is guest of honour at inaugural grandparents' day in Blessington
The school's wellbeing committee came up with the idea in order to foster closer links between the school and the local community, and decided on a grandparents and special persons day. The committee also felt it was important to recognise and celebrate the role others have in making the students the people they are today.
Principal Kieran Burke said: 'It was the first time we ever held such an event and we had between 80 and 90 grandparents and special people in attendance. We didn't just want to reserve it for grandparents only as there are some students who may not have a grandparent, but there could be another individual who plays an important role in their education. Some foreign students grandparents also might not be living over here but they could have an aunt or an uncle who plays a very important role in their life.'
The gathering was held in the school gym and featured poetry readings, from both students and teachers, as well as some Irish music. One grandfather provide his singing credentials by standing up and bursting into song.
A special mention is reserved for Dorothy Ansell, aged 102, who is a great grandparent and was also in attendance.
Mr Burke added: 'It was great to be able to spend a couple of hours chatting away to all the grandparents and special persons. There were plenty of board and card games and the day was a resounding success. It's something we will be continuing and hopefully extending on in future years. I actually brought a bar of carbolic soap in with me, which is what we all used back in the day. It basically washed the cat, dog, your person and clothes.
'I asked if anyone knew what it was and all the grandparents immediately put up their hands. A few wanted to know where I got the carbolic soap from, so I sourced some more, and was able to present it to some of the grandparents.'
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